Obama Calls for Restricting Military Gear to Local Police

Daily News Article - May 21, 2015

Questions

1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. What equipment is President Obama going to ban federal agencies from transferring to local police departments?

3. What equipment will be under more stringent controls? What will police departments now need to do to obtain this equipment?

4. The president last fall defended the program created by Congress in the 1990s to allow law-enforcement agencies to obtain excess Defense Department supplies, but said his administration would develop new rules and improve oversight. What caused him to roll out the changes so quickly? Be specific.

5. President Obama said police use of such equipment can send the wrong message by intimidating and alienating local residents.
a) Do you agree with his assertion? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

6. Do you think there are reasons police departments need the military equipment President Obama is banning the federal government from transferring to them? Explain your answer.

7. Consider the following:
-If there is a specific reason/instance that local police would need military equipment, should the national guard be called in if that instance occurred?
-If local police need such equipment to deal with terrorists, is our military and/or FBI better trained to handle that scenario, or do the police as first responders need the equipment?
-If the equipment was needed to deal with violent gangs/drug cartels, would the police be justified in their request for such equipment?
Explain your answers.